Dishwashing machines

ABSTRACT

A dishwashing machine with continuous horizontal conveyor means including a series of interconnected sections which present upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like may be positioned anywhere along the conveyor, and which have depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed.

United States Patent John G. Walker; Anthony Trotto, Bellwood; Howard 0. Holloway, River Grove; and Casirner Janiszewski, Chicago, [11.

Inventors Appl. No. 729,316 Filed May 15, 1968 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 Assignee G. S. Blakeslee & Co.

Cicero, Ill.

DISHWASHING MACHINES 2 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 198/131, 134/72,198/181 Int. Cl. ..B65g 15/02, 565g 17/06, 865g 17/42 Field of Search 134/72; 198/131, 181

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 421,186 2/1890 Munden 198/181X 646,604 4/ 1900 Nordberg 15/63 818,927 4/1906 Waite 198/l8lX 1,050,584 l/l913 Wilkens.... l98/18IX 3,086,641 4/1963 Cumming.... 198/131 3,117,668 l/1964 Weihe et al... 198/181 3,206,005 9/1965 Lyman 198/131 FOREIGN PATENTS 929,715 6/1955 Germany 198/181 Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant ExaminerW. Scott Carson Attorney-Johnson, Dienner, Emrick, Verbeck 8 Wagner ABSTRACT: A dishwashing machine with continuous horizontal conveyor means including a series of intereonnected sections which present upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like may be positioned anywhere along the conveyor, and which have depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed.

PATENTED FEB23 I97! sum; BF 6 I msnwAsnINo MACHINES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains generally to commercial dishwashing machines which are used extensively in restaurants, hospitals and like establishments, and more particularly to a dishwashing machine having continuous conveyor means which is arranged horizontally so that the full length thereof may be utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The dishwashing machine of the present invention comprises horizontal inner and outer oval tracks, and continuous horizontal conveyor means movable in an orbital path on the tracks. A portion of the conveyor means passes through one or more housings in which prewashing, washingand/or rinsing of soiled ware is effected. The remainder of the conveyor means is fully exposed for loading and unloading along the entire length thereof. washed. dishes The conveyor means comprises a series of conveyor sections which extend transversely of the orbital path and which are respectively pivotally interconnected at their inner ends. The conveyor sections present upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like may be positioned anywhere along the conveyor means without requiring any alignment of the rack lengthwise of the conveyor, In addition, the conveyor sections have depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed. Thus, dishes and the like can be placed directly into the conveyor or, optionally, into racks for subsequent positioning on the conveyor.

The conveyor means of the present invention further comprises an auxiliary conveyor section extending transversely of the orbital path and having at the inner end thereof diverging arm members which are pivotally connected to the adjacent conveyor sections and which may be regulated to alter the angle of divergence whereby to adjust the inner perimeter of the conveyor means.

Still further, the conveyor means of the present invention includes drive elements depending from the conveyor means, and drive means for sequentially engaging the drive elements whereby to effect movement of the conveyor means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of a dishwashing machine incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dishwashing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the conveyor means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a still further enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a still further enlarged sectional view, taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a corner portion of the conveyor means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 11 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a dishwashing machine or apparatus incorporating the principles of the present invention. The dishwashing machine includes a series of housings 12a, b and c; sectional conveyor supporting tables 140, b, c, and d; and a conveyor drive mechanism I6.

Mounted within the housings 12a, b and c are conventional upper and lower spray boxes 18 and 20 from which sprays or jets of water or washing solution are projected downwardly and upwardly as dishes or other articles to be washed are moved through the housings. Also, mounted at the base of each housing is a motor-pump unit 22 comprising an electric motor 24, a rotary impeller pump 26 driven thereby and having an outlet connected to the adjacent spray boxes 18 and 20 for delivering liquid under pressure thereto, and a sump chamber 28 which communicates with the bottom of the adjacent housing and also with the inlet of the pump 26 for supplying liquid thereto.

By way of illustration, the housing may serve as a prewashing section, the housing 12b as a main washing sec tion, and the housing 12c as a rinsing section. The housings 12a, b and c are similar to those disclosed in the copending application of John Cumming, Ser. No. 574,427, filed Aug. 23, I966; and the motor-pump units 22 are similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l08,607, issued on Oct. 29, I963, to David G. Blakeslee. For further details concerning the abovedescribed apparatus, which is not per se part of the present invention, reference may be had to the aforesaid copending ap plication and patent.

As shown for example in FIG. 3, the housings l2 and the table sections 14a and are each provided with an inner vertical wall portion 30, an inner bar 32 and an outer ledge portion 34; while, as shown for example in FIG. 11, the table sections 14b and 14d each include an inner vertical wall 36, an inner bar 38 and an outer bar 40. The vertical wall portions 30 and the vertical walls 36 together constitute a continuous inner vertical conveyor track indicated generally by the reference numeral 42 (FIG. 1), the inner bars 32 and 38 together constitute a continuous inner horizontal conveyor track indicated generally by the reference numeral 44, and the outer ledge portions 34 and outer bars 40 together constitute a continuous outer horizontal conveyor track indicated generally by the reference numeral 46.

Supported on the inner and outer horizontal conveyor tracks 44 and 46, and guided by the vertical conveyor track 42, for movement in an orbital path, is continuous horizontal conveyor means 48. As shown for example in FIGS. 4, S and 9, the conveyor means 48 comprises a series of conveyor sec tions 50 which extend transversely of the orbital path and which are respectively pivotally interconnected at their inner ends. Each of the conveyor sections 50 includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart cross rods 52, a frame member or strap 54 rotatably mounting the outer ends of the rods 52, and a pair of frame members or straps 56 and 58 rotatably mounting the inner ends of the rods 52. The cross rods 52 provide support for, and are interconnected by, a plurality offlights or links 60 of substantially W-shape (FIG. 6) which are separated by spacer members 61 (FIG. 9). For further details concerning the links 60, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,641, issued on Apr. 23, 1963 to John Cumming.

Rotatably mounted on the ends of the cross rods 52 are rollers 62 which have 'rolling engagement with the inner and outer horizontal tracks 44 and 46. Additionally, each inner frame member 58 is formed with a horizontal flange portion 64, and the ends thereof are pivotally interconnected by verti cal fasteners 66 to the flange portions 64 of the adjacent conveyor sections 50. Rotatably mounted on the fasteners 66 are rollers 68 which have rolling engagement with the vertical track 42. Still further, each conveyor section 50 includes a drive element or arm member 70 which is pivotally connected at 72 to the inner frame member 58 and which depends downwardly therefrom through a slot formed in the frame flange portion 64. The lower end of the arm member 70 is formed with a drive tooth 74 which is adapted to be engaged by drive means as will be described hereinafter.

The conveyor means 48, as shown in FIGS. 9, and 11, further comprises an auxiliary conveyor section 76 which includes a cross rod 78 extending transversely of the orbital path of the conveyor means. A roller 80 is rotatably mounted on the outer end of the cross rod 78 and has rolling engagement with the outer horizontal track 46. Transverse support braces 81 are suitably secured to the cross rod 78, and a panel member 82 is supported on the braces 81.and releasably connected to the cross rod 78 by spring clips 83. Also, depending from the panel member 82 is a strap member 84 which serves to support a flexible wiper member 86 extending transversely of the bottom ofthe table sections 14 for maintaining the same clean during operation of the conveyor means.

The inner end of the conveyor section 76 is provided with diverging arm members 88. The adjacent ends of the arm members 88 are pivotally interconnected by a threaded bushing 90 and a screw 91 which is received in a slot 92 formed in the cross rod 78. The remote ends of the arm members 88 are pivotally interconnected by vertical fasteners 94 to the flange portions 64 of the adjacent conveyor sections 50. Rotatably mounted on the fasteners 94 are rollers 96 which, like the rollers 68, have rolling engagement with the vertical track 42. Each arm member 88, intermediate of the ends thereof, is provided with a threaded block 98; and extending therebetween is an adjustment screw 100 having a central apertured body portion 101 which receives the inner end of the cross rod 78.

To adjust the effective length of the conveyor means 48, the panel member 82 and the screw 91 are first removed. Then, the adjustment screw 100 is selectively rotated to regulate the position of the arm members 88 and the angle of divergence therebetween whereby to adjust the inner perimeter of the conveyor means 48. The adjustment screw 100 may be turned either with the cross rod 78 or with a separate implement. After adjustment has been effected, the inner end of the cross rod 78 is repositioned in the apertured body portion 101 with the rod 78 extending in a normal horizontal operating position, and the screw 91 and the panel member 82 are remounted to the cross rod 78.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 8, the drive means for the conveyor means 48 includes an endless sprocket chain 102 trained about a pair of sprockets 104 and 106 secured on shafts 108 and 110 rotatably mounted in the framework of the conveyor drive mechanism 16 at the lower end of the inner wall portion 30 of the table section 14c. The upper run of the chain 102 is guided in a horizontal path across a bearing strip 112 secured on the inner flange 113 of the framework of the conveyor drive mechanism 16. During movement of the chain 102 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, the teeth 74 of the arm members 70 of the conveyor sections 50 are sequentially engageable with the chain 102, and the sections 50 are driven thereby whereby to effect drive of the conveyor means 48.

A sprocket 114 is also secured on the shaft 108 and trained thereabout and about a sprocket 116 on the output shaft 118 of a speed reducer 120 is a chain 122. The input shaft 124 of the speed reducer 120 has secured thereon a pulley 126 which is driven by a belt 128 engaged about the pulley 130 on the output shaft 132 ofa drive motor 134.

In operation, while the conveyor means 48 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, the conveyor is loaded with articles to be washed, these articles are moved through the housings l2, and the articles are unloaded from the conveyor after they leave the housings. More particularly, plates and other articles of flat ware are inserted edgewise into the links 60 of the conveyor sections 50, as shown in FIG. 6, while the conveyor is travelling toward the entrance of the housings 12. Smaller articles such as cups, glasses, cutlery, and the like are placed in open work baskets or racks which are set upon the conveyor sections 50 and 76. During travel ofthe articles through t e housings 12, they are sub ected to washing and rinsing operations, and are thereafter removed from the conveyor, during continued travel thereof, at any point subsequent to the discharge end of the housings 12.

Because the conveyor means 48 is arranged horizontally, in an oval configuration, the full length of the conveyor means may be utilized for loading, washing and unloading. It will be especially noted that by providing links 60, which have depressed supporting portions, the conveyor section. optionally, may be loaded directly with articles to be washed or may have placed thereon baskets or racks containing articles to be washed. In this connection, the upper surfaces of the links 60 present upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like may be positioned anywhere along the conveyor means without requiring alignment of any sort lengthwise of the conveyor. It will also be appreciated that the conveyor means 48 may, if desired, be moved in a counterclockwise direction by interchanging the location of the prewash housing 12a and the final rinse housing 120, and by reversing the arrangement of the parts of the conveyor drive means 16, the drive elements 70 described the conveyor links 60.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a dishwashing machine, continuous horizontal conveyor means movable in an orbital path, said conveyor means including a series of individual interconnected conveyor sections extending transversely of said orbital path, said conveyor sections presenting upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like for receiving articles to be washed may be positioned anywhere along said conveyor means, said conveyor sections including means defining depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed, each of said conveyor sections comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart rods extending transversely of said orbital path, frame members rotatably mounting the ends of said rods, and a plurality of links disposed between said rods lengthwise of said orbital path and forming said means defining depressed supporting portions, continuous horizontal inner and outer tracks, and rollers mounted on said rods at the inner and outer ends thereof for rolling engagement with said inner and outer tracks and including a continuous vertical inner track, rollers mounted on vertical axes on said frame members at the inner ends of said rods for rolling engagement with said vertical track, an endless sprocket chain having a horizontal upper run adjacent to and lengthwise ofa portion ofsaid inner track, means for effecting movement of said chain, and arm members connected to said conveyor sections and being sequentially engageable with said chain whereby to effect drive of said conveyor means.

2. In a dishwashing machine, continuous horizontal conveyor means movable in an orbital path, said conveyor means including a series of individual interconnected conveyor sections extending transversely ofsaid orbital path, said conveyor sections presenting upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like for receiving articles to be washed may be positioned anywhere along said conveyor means, said conveyor sections including means defining depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed, and said conveyor means includ ing an auxiliary conveyor section extending transversely of said orbital path and having at the inner end thereof diverging arm members which are pivotally connected to the adjacent conveyor sections and means for manually varying the angle of divergence to adjust the inner perimeter of said conveyor meansv 

1. In a dishwashing machine, continuous horizontal conveyor means movable in an orbital path, said conveyor means including a series of individual interconnected conveyor sections extending transversely of said orbital path, said conveyor sections presenting upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like for receiving articles to be washed may be positioned anywhere along said conveyor means, said conveyor sections including means defining depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed, each of said conveyor sections comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart rods extending transversely of said orbital path, frame members rotatably mounting the ends of said rods, and a plurality of links disposed between said rods lengthwise of said orbital path and forming said means defining depressed supporting pOrtions, continuous horizontal inner and outer tracks, and rollers mounted on said rods at the inner and outer ends thereof for rolling engagement with said inner and outer tracks and including a continuous vertical inner track, rollers mounted on vertical axes on said frame members at the inner ends of said rods for rolling engagement with said vertical track, an endless sprocket chain having a horizontal upper run adjacent to and lengthwise of a portion of said inner track, means for effecting movement of said chain, and arm members connected to said conveyor sections and being sequentially engageable with said chain whereby to effect drive of said conveyor means.
 2. In a dishwashing machine, continuous horizontal conveyor means movable in an orbital path, said conveyor means including a series of individual interconnected conveyor sections extending transversely of said orbital path, said conveyor sections presenting upper supporting surfaces in a single unobstructed horizontal plane whereby a rack or the like for receiving articles to be washed may be positioned anywhere along said conveyor means, said conveyor sections including means defining depressed supporting portions for receiving directly therein articles to be washed, and said conveyor means including an auxiliary conveyor section extending transversely of said orbital path and having at the inner end thereof diverging arm members which are pivotally connected to the adjacent conveyor sections and means for manually varying the angle of divergence to adjust the inner perimeter of said conveyor means. 